The Fifteenth Amendment aimed to reconcile the discrepancy between American ideals—such as the principles of equality and the right to participate in democracy—and the reality of discriminatory practices that prevented many citizens, particularly African Americans, from voting. By explicitly prohibiting the denial or abridgment of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, the amendment sought to enshrine the ideal of universal suffrage into the Constitution. This legal framework was intended to ensure that public policy aligned more closely with the foundational American value that all citizens should have an equal voice in their government, thereby addressing longstanding systemic inequalities.
Read the following excerpt from the Fifteenth Amendment:
“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
Describe how this law attempted to reconcile the discrepancy between American ideals and public policy.
(1 point)
Responses
The NAACP lobbies Congress for passage of a right-to-vote law.
The NAACP lobbies Congress for passage of a right-to-vote law.
Congress passes a law to ensure all people have the right to vote.
Congress passes a law to ensure all people have the right to vote.
The Supreme Court addresses the Fifteenth Amendment’s constitutionality.
The Supreme Court addresses the Fifteenth Amendment’s constitutionality.
Large numbers of people march on Washington for the passage of laws.
Large numbers of people march on Washington for the passage of laws.
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